Evolution Island: Kill to Survive

Challenge accepted!

The odds were stacked firmly against them. Taking down a Triceratops or even a pack of Velociraptors was child’s play when compared to a T-Rex. The Tyrannosaur was the largest and most vicious pre-historic predator on Solaris and to make matters worse, this particular boss was way above their current level.

Zach found himself at a loss for words, but Aaron seemed completely unaffected by this morbid revelation. It was as if he had mentally prepared himself for everything the game could throw at him.

“Let’s go! We have to cross the Northern Mountains before the other teams,” Aaron declared, unfazed.

“And then do what? Try to take on a level 30 T-Rex all by ourselves? There’s no way we can kill that thing! You’re level 25 and I’m just level 20!” Zach exclaimed.

“I know its way above our level! I can read the damn map!”

“Then we should let some other team kill it!”

“If we let another team take it down, then they will get access to an island base and one extra Evolution Stone. That will make them overpowered! We have to defeat the last Zone Guardian and take the stone for ourselves!”

Zach backed away and wrung his hands in despair. “What if we get killed by that beast? If both of us die at the same time, we can’t load the saved files and restore our progress. For all we know, it could trap us in this digital world forever...”

It wasn’t like Aaron hadn’t thought about this grim outcome, but he was sick of letting the game get the better of him. The final votes by the viewers placed them at the lowest rung. Most of them were sure that out of all 3 teams, Aaron’s team had the lowest chance of survival. This was what made Aaron feel humiliated. He couldn’t accept that after all that they had accomplished, they would be viewed like underdogs. More than getting an advantage over his opponents, he wanted to prove them wrong!

Aaron closed the map on his Z-band and looked up at Zach, his intense gaze fixed on Zach’s face. “They are all watching us from their screens and they think we are pathetic noobs who can’t defeat the final boss. Our chances of survival are at 20% according to the viewers. What do you think about that?”

“I...”

“We’ve been playing survival RPGs since our school days. There’s no f*****g way we can’t beat these teams. This is what we’re good at. You always wanted to be a pro-gamer. I think now’s the time to show how pros play. We are not f*****g underdogs!”

Zach remained silent, but deep Aaron’s words reminded him of all the battles they had fought together in co-op games. In the eyes of the world, they were lonely losers, unsuccessful in life and destined to become failures. Gaming was the only thing which provided them with a means of escape and a way to fulfil their dreams. The virtual world was the only home which gave them comfort. This was where they could prove their skill and achieve the unthinkable.

Aaron extended his closed fist towards Zach and said, “500 people are watching this live stream. They think we are the weakest team on this island. They think we are sore losers who have no hope of beating the game. What do you say to that?”

Zach bumped his fist with Aaron’s and looked right back at him. “I say we prove them wrong. After we kill that T-Rex they’ll regret betting against us.”

“Hell yeah! We’re gonna kill the final Zone Guardian and claim this island for ourselves.”

To defeat the T-Rex, the first hurdle they needed to cross was the great mountain range in the north. Flying over it was the fastest way to reach the other side, but there were no flying mounts available in the mount selection store.

Scaling the huge mountain range on foot would take several days and if the weather deteriorated, it would make the journey even more dangerous. Aaron checked his map for alternative paths which moved around the mountain, but they were all blocked by boulders or other obstacles.

“I might have something which might help us,” Zach said, interrupting Aaron’s thoughts. Pulling out a summoning scroll from his inventory, he tapped on Aaron’s shoulder.

“Don’t tell me you can summon a flying mount?”

“No, I can’t. But, we don’t need to fly over the mountain when we can just climb it with ease.” Zach smirked at Aaron’s confusion and unfurled the rolled piece of paper inscribed with magical incantations. “Use Rare Scroll: Summon Mountain Troll!”

The scroll turned transparent in a second and then disappeared completely. The very next second, a fully grown adult Mountain Troll appeared before them. Standing at over 20 feet, the gigantic being had thick muscular legs, a pair of rock-hard arms and a bulging belly. It wore just a tattered skirt made of animal hide, and its pale blue skin was covered in warts.

Trolls weren’t the most intelligent creatures, but their physical strength was unparalleled. This particular troll was one of the larger subspecies which inhabited the mountainous regions of Solaris. Due to its unique habitat, the Mountain Troll was an excellent climber and was resistant to cold and snow. The creature was their best bet for getting to the other side.

On Zach’s command, the troll grabbed hold of them and, lifting them up, placed them comfortably on top of its large, broad shoulders.

“I command you to carry us across the Northern Mountains!”

The troll responded with an audible snort and started moving through the forest, in the direction of the great snow-capped mountains.

“This is crazy! I think I’m gonna fall!” Aaron cried out.

Zach just chuckled back. “I bet he’s gonna catch ya if you do.”

“I’m not too excited to test it!”

Not even the fiercest of carnivores thought about attacking something of that size. Even the packs of raptors waiting in the bushes scurried away, seeing the massive behemoth. The troll pushed the trees out of its way as if they were twigs and moved through the dense vegetation like a steamroller, carving a way through the bushes and vines. It moved slowly, but each stride covered a massive distance. Finally, they reached the foot of the mountain just at the stroke of dusk.